Gurgaon bids adieu to Goddess, until next year

Thousands of devotees bid goodbye to Goddess Durga on Friday. Anticipating her homecoming next year, residents participated in the last rounds of prayers and rituals.

Thousands of devotees bid goodbye to Goddess Durga on Friday. Anticipating her homecoming next year, residents participated in the last rounds of prayers and rituals.

Thousands joined the immersion procession in different parts of Gurgaon. (Mohd Zakir/HT photo)

Women were seen smearing vermilion (sindoor) on each other’s face as part of the ritual, Sindoor Khela. They bid farewell to the Goddess and offered the deity sweets and prayers. Thousands joined the immersion procession in different parts of the city.

Earlier in the day, devotees gathered at various community centres across the city to offer prayers for the Bijoya Dashami puja, which marks the end of the 10-day festival.

On Bijoya Dashami, Durga is treated as a daughter taking leave after a short stay at her parental home.

“Pandal hopping is the best part of the festival. Adults take blessings from Goddess Durga. Every year, we visit the Yamuna ghats for the immersion of the Goddess,” said Arabinda Chakraborty, president of Bangiya Parishad, Sector 56.

Various societies took out colourful processions as they took idols for immersion to the Yamuna ghats.